Mass General - Division of Clinical Research

This study aims to define the natural history of men at high genetic risk for prostate cancer on the basis of specific germline genetic mutations or a positive family history and evaluate the utility of prostate MRI as a screening tool. The hypothesis is that this targeted population of men are at elevated risk of developing prostate cancer compared to the general population, and enhanced screening with MRI will enable early detection and diagnosis of potentially aggressive prostate cancer, characterization of the penetrance of specific mutations, and potentially identify new genetic risk mutations.

Type: Observational [Patient Registry]

Start Date: Feb 2020

open study

BOOST3 is a randomized clinical trial to determine the comparative effectiveness of two strategies for monitoring and treating patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the intensive care unit (ICU). The study will determine the safety and efficacy of a strategy guided by treatment goals based on both intracranial pressure (ICP) and brain tissue oxygen (PbtO2) as compared to a strategy guided by treatment goals based on ICP monitoring alone. Both of these alternative strategies are used in standard care. It is unknown if one is more effective than the other. In both strategies the monitoring and goals help doctors adjust treatments including the kinds and doses of medications and the amount of intravenous fluids given, ventilator (breathing machine) settings, need for blood transfusions, and other medical care. The results of this study will help doctors discover if one of these methods is more safe and effective.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Aug 2019

open study

The Myelin Disorders Biorepository Project (MDBP) seeks to collect and analyze clinical data and biological samples from leukodystrophy patients worldwide to support ongoing and future research projects. The MDBP is one of the world's largest leukodystrophy biorepositories, having enrolled nearly 2,000 affected individuals since it was launched over a decade ago. Researchers working in the biorepository hope to use these materials to uncover new genetic etiologies for various leukodystrophies, develop biomarkers for use in future clinical trials, and better understand the natural history of these disorders. The knowledge gained from these efforts may help improve the diagnostic tools and treatment options available to patients in the future.

Type: Observational [Patient Registry]

Start Date: Dec 2016

open study

There is no consensus on the optimal treatment of patients with high-grade glioma, especially when patients have limited functioning performance at presentation (KPS ≤70). Therefore, there are varied practice patterns around pursuing biopsy, resection, or palliation (best supportive care). This study aims to characterize the impact of palliative care versus biopsy versus resection on survival and quality of life in these patients. Also, it will aim to determine if there is a subset of patients that benefit the most from resection or biopsy, for which outcome, and how they could be identified preoperatively. This study is an international, multicenter, prospective, 3-arm cohort study of observational nature. Consecutive HGG patients will be treated with palliative care, biopsy, or resection at a 1:3:3 ratio. Primary endpoints are: 1) overall survival, and 2) quality of life at 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months after initial presentation based on the EQ-5D, EORTC QLQ C30 and EORTC BN 20 questionnaires. Total duration of the study is 5 years. Patient inclusion is 4 years, follow-up is 1 year.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Jan 2023

open study

There are no guidelines or prospective studies defining the optimal surgical treatment for gliomas of older patients (≥70 years) or those with limited functioning performance at presentation (KPS ≤70). Therefore, the decision between resection and biopsy is varied, amongst neurosurgeons internationally and at times even within an instiutition. This study aims to compare the effects of maximal tumor resection versus tissue biopsy on survival, functional, neurological, and quality of life outcomes in these patient subgroups. Furthermore, it evaluates which modality would maximize the potential to undergo adjuvant treatment. This study is an international, multicenter, prospective, 2-arm cohort study of observational nature. Consecutive HGG patients will be treated with resection or biopsy at a 3:1 ratio. Primary endpoints are: 1) overall survival (OS) and 2) proportion of patients that have received adjuvant treatment with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Secondary endpoints are 1) proportion of patients with NIHSS (National Institute of Health Stroke Scale) deterioration at 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months after surgery 2) progression-free survival (PFS); 3) quality of life at 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months after surgery and 4) frequency and severity of Serious Adverse Events (SAEs). Total duration of the study is 5 years. Patient inclusion is 4 years, follow-up is 1 year.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Jan 2023

open study

The goal of this randomized clinical trial is to evaluate safety and biologic effect of a multi-strain vaginal L. crispatus live biotherapeutic product (LBP) in people receiving antibiotic treatment for bacterial vaginosis (BV). The main question[s] it aims to answer are whether the intervention is safe, and whether the strains of L. crispatus will colonize recipients' vagina. The study will evaluate one LBP with 6 strains of L. crispatus (LC106) and one LBP with 15 strains (LC115) vs. placebo. Participants will: - be treated with oral antibiotics for BV - receive 7 days of vaginal study product - collect daily home swabs and make short daily diary entries for 5 weeks, including the week of antibiotic treatment and the week of study product treatment. Researchers will compare the 3 groups receiving different dosing strategies of LC106 and 1 group receiving LC115 vs. 1 group receiving placebo to see if the live biotherapeutic strains colonize the vagina after antibiotic treatment for BV.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Oct 2023

open study

The primary goal of this study is to test the effectiveness of the iDECIDE (Drug Education Curriculum: Intervention, Diversion, and Empowerment) curriculum, a novel drug education and diversion program, in approximately 300 middle and high school students, who have violated their school substance use policies in the past month, as an alternative to punitive school responses for school-based substance use infractions. This randomized controlled trial will test the hypothesis that adolescents randomized to the iDECIDE curriculum will have improved substance use outcomes (i.e., knowledge, attitudes, and behavior) compared to adolescents in a waitlist control group. The outcomes of this study will measure knowledge of drug effects and brain development, perceptions of harm from substance use, willingness to quit or reduce use, and substance use behavior.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Nov 2023

open study

The study is researching an experimental drug called dupilumab. The study is focused on participants with active eosinophilic gastritis (EoG) with or without eosinophilic duodenitis (EoD). Participants with EoD only are not eligible for enrollment. EoG and EoD are uncommon, persistent, allergic/immune diseases in which eosinophils (a type of white blood cell) gather in large numbers in the stomach and small intestine and cause inflammation and damage. The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of dupilumab on relieving EoG (with or without EoD) symptoms and reducing inflammation in the stomach and, if applicable, small intestine in adults and adolescents aged 12 years and older, compared to placebo. The study is looking at several other research questions, including: - What side effects may happen from taking the study drug - How much study drug is in your blood at different times - Whether the body makes antibodies against the study drug (which could make the drug less effective or could lead to side effects)

Type: Interventional

Start Date: May 2023

open study

This is a Phase 2, multicenter, open label, two parts, clinical study to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and PK of safusidenib. Patients with recurrent or progressive histologically confirmed IDH1 mutant WHO Grade 2/3 glioma10 outside Japan, will be enrolled in this study. It was divided into 2 parts. Part 1: Up to 25 patients will be randomized 1:1:1:1:1 (5 patients per group) to receive one of the daily oral doses of safusidenib at 125 mg twice a day (BID), 250 mg BID, 500 mg once daily (QD), 375 mg BID, or 500 mg BID. The PK characteristics and safety and initial efficacy data will be assessed in Part 1. Part 2: It is planned to open 2 glioma subtype cohorts: Grade 2 and Grade 3 glioma cohorts with 30 eligible patients enrolled in each cohort. Total 60 patients will be enrolled. Part 2 is to evaluate the efficacy of safusidenib in the treatment of recurrent/progressive WHO CNS Grade 2 and grade 3 IDH1 mutant glioma. Exploratory Surgery Cohort: This cohort will be conducted in parallel with Part 2, for explorative purpose once RP2D is decided. 5 patients with primarily enhancing lesions and other 5 with primarily non-enhancing lesions will be enrolled. Participants will receive oral safusidenib treatment continuously, with 28 days as a cycle, until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, consent withdrawal, start of new anti-cancer therapy, investigator decision or death, upon whichever earlier. Besides baseline, the anti-tumor response will be evaluated every 8 weeks following RANO or RANO-LGG criteria as applicable, until disease progression, consent withdrawal or death, upon whichever earlier.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jun 2023

open study

This international multi-center registry is used to collect existing information and outcomes for patients undergoing an operation for treatment of injuries to the brain including the blockage of blood flow to an area of the brain, an abnormal ballooning of an artery, abnormal tangling of blood vessels, abnormal formation of blood vessels, tearing of vein, and bleeding in the brain. This information is used to help predict outcomes that undergo an operation for treatment of the above-listed brain injuries. Additionally, the information is used to compare techniques and devices' effects on technical and clinical outcomes.

Type: Observational [Patient Registry]

Start Date: Sep 2019

open study

This research study is looking to see whether the combination of Dostarlimab and Niraparib plus Radiation Therapy (RT) is safe and effective in participants with metastatic triple negative breast cancer. The names of the study treatment involved in this study are: - Dostarlimab - Niraparib - Radiation Therapy (RT), which is given per standard of care.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jul 2021

open study

This is a master protocol for a prospective Phase I-II study evaluating feasibility and efficacy of incorporating magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) simulation into the planning of radiation treatments.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Oct 2020

open study

The purpose of this study is to find out if pulsed dye laser treatment or timolol maleate 0.5% gel can help infants who have a hemangioma. The investigators also want to find out if pulsed dye laser treatment and timolol maleate 0.5% gel are safe to use without causing too many side effects. Hemangioma is a common type of birthmark. These birthmarks happen when many new blood vessels grow in a specific area on the skin. Blood vessels are tiny tubes that carry blood through the body. No one knows what causes blood vessels to group together. Most birthmarks don't hurt at all and they usually aren't a sign of any kind of illness. Lots of newborns have these birthmarks on their bodies, like between the eyebrows. These birthmarks usually disappear within the first few months to years of life. These birthmarks tend to disappear spontaneously. Most hemangiomas are not treated unless the hemangioma threatens the child's health, which occurs in about 1 in 3 children with hemagiomas. Pulsed dye laser is widely used in children, and is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating hemangioma. The FDA has approved timolol maleate to treat glaucoma in adults, but the FDA has not approved timolol maleate to treat hemangiomas in children. About 7 infants with hemangiomas have received timolol maleate. The results so far show that timolol maleate may be helpful and safe in treating hemangiomas in infants. An important question being tested in this study is whether pulsed-dye laser or timolol maleate can prevent hemangioma from growing when used very early after birth.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Feb 2011

open study

This is a prospective multicenter biomarker study evaluating the prognostic impact of ctDNA detection at diagnosis in patients with Ewing sarcoma or osteosarcoma.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: May 2018

open study

The goal of this prospective cohort study is to assess potential differences in sleep biomarkers in older adult patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. To define sleep/circadian biomarkers of delirium (sleep duration, regularity, stability and timing of rhythm) in a prospective observational study. 2. To determine if plasma Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology/inflammatory burden interacts with or moderates the relationship between a sleep/circadian biomarker and post-operative delirium (POD) risk. 3. To determine whether sleep/circadian regulation interacts with the genetic risk of AD to influence POD/cognitive decline. Participants will be asked to: 1. Donate several blood samples both intraoperatively and postoperatively 2. Complete baseline and postoperative neurocognitive assessments 3. Wear an actigraphy data collection watch for the two weeks prior to their surgery

Type: Observational

Start Date: Oct 2023

open study

The goal of this clinical trial is to assess the effect of PRP/PPP/BMAC application on functional outcomes after hip arthroscopy to address acetabular labral pathologies. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Does PRP/PPP/BMAC application improve functional outcomes after hip arthroscopy to address acetabular labral pathologies? 2. Does PRP/PPP/BMAC application reduce the arthritic burden as measured by functional outcomes following hip arthroscopy to address labral pathologies with concomitant PRP/PPP/BMAC application?

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Aug 2023

open study

This goal of this study is to test an information and support intervention for patients with malignant (or "high-grade") brain tumors. This study was developed to help patients cope after a brain tumor diagnosis. The main question this study aims to answer is whether this intervention (which includes access to an information guide and one-on-one coaching sessions) is feasible (i.e., possible to carry out) and acceptable (i.e., considered helpful) to patients. Participants will be asked to take part in the coaching sessions, use the guide as desired, and complete a small group of short surveys at three different points in time; some participants will be asked to share feedback via exit interviews.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Oct 2023

open study

This is a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study of the effects of intranasal oxytocin on bone health in children with autism spectrum disorder, ages 6-18 years old. Subjects will be randomized to receive intranasal oxytocin or placebo (30 IU, 2 times daily) for 12 months in the double-blind phase, followed by a 6-month open label phase during which all study subjects will receive intranasal oxytocin (30 IU, 2 times daily). Study visits include screening to determine eligibility, followed by study visits at baseline, week 2, and months 6, 12, 18 and phone calls every two weeks for the first two months and monthly thereafter for the duration of the study. Study assessments include history and physical examinations, anthropometric measurements, electrocardiogram (EKG), adverse event monitoring, laboratory tests for chemistries, hormones and biomarkers for bone metabolism, questionnaires regarding diet and exercise, and imaging to assess body composition, bone density and structure.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Aug 2023

open study

The overall objective of this study is to compare knowledge, decisional conflict, preferences, and caregiver burden over time caregivers of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) patients by comparing the effectiveness of a video decision aid intervention and enhanced usual care.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Apr 2022

open study

Current methods of measuring the response to new treatments for muscular dystrophies involve the examination of small pieces of muscle tissue called biopsies. The investigators are interested in finding less invasive methods that reduce the need for muscle biopsies. The purpose of this research is to learn about the possibility of detecting and measuring the activity and severity of muscular dystrophies by examining a urine sample and a blood sample, and some muscles in the arms and legs using tests called ultrasound and electrical impedance myography; both tests are painless and non-invasive. The information that is gathered from this study may help to evaluate, prevent, diagnose, treat, and improve the understanding of human muscle diseases.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Feb 2015

open study

The proposed research will test the hypothesis that objective social isolation and loneliness are linked to neurobehavioral mechanisms involved in social perception and motivation in individuals with and without serious mental illness. Moreover, it will investigate the specific dynamic interactions among these experiences in daily life and how they, and their neurobehavioral predictors, are linked to day-to-day functioning. The findings of this project could provide novel targets for therapeutics aimed at improving functioning and overall quality of life in individuals with serious mental illnesses, as well as quantitative phenotypes for use in early detection efforts.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jul 2022

open study

The purpose of this study is to perform pooled analysis with data collected from 5 previously published studies and 8 unpublished datasets collected from international sites. The main goal of this study is to identify the predictors of plaque erosion.

Type: Observational [Patient Registry]

Start Date: Dec 2017

open study

The goal of this study is to test a 6-week virtual education program among Black breast cancer survivors. The virtual program includes sessions on physical activity, goal setting, nutrition, sleep, stress, and social connections.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Feb 2023

open study

This study will evaluate whether LDCT findings differ between firefighters and non-fighters, the relationship between occupational exposures and LDCT findings, and whether a proteomics assay can further risk-stratify screen-detected nodules among a study population of 850 current and retired firefighters and 1,120 matched controls.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Mar 2021

open study

The goal of this prospective observational study is to create a network repository of clinical data and biological samples to help researchers learn more about myasthenia gravis.

Type: Observational [Patient Registry]

Start Date: Jan 2021

open study